Five sights, sounds and observations from Tuesday's Purdue football practice:

• Purdue freshman Gelen Robinson has a new defensive position.

Robinson was moved to rush end during Tuesday's practice, switching from weakside linebacker.

"He's so strong. He's so physical," coach Darrell Hazell said. "He's a strong guy that can get off things."

Starting rush end Jalani Phillips is sidelined with a shoulder injury, although the senior was in full pads during practice. Danny Ezechukwu worked with the first team. Robinson was part of the second-team unit, receiving one-on-one instructions from graduate assistant Brian Mason.

The end position — known as a Jack linebacker last season — may suit the 6-foot-1, 239-pound Robinson better. Robinson hasn't made the same jump at linebacker that fellow freshman Ja'Whaun Bentley has during the first nine days of camp. Bentley continues to see action with the first-team defense.

Robinson played defensive end at Lake Central.

"They brought him on the blitz from the edge," Hazell said. "I think he'll adapt well. There's not a whole lot of learning there, keeping the edge and beating an offensive lineman."

• For the first time, quarterbacks Danny Etling and Austin Appleby shared snaps with the first-team offense in the same practice. They'd been rotating each practice, until Tuesday.

The starter isn't expected to be named until after Saturday's scrimmage, but that doesn't mean an announcement will be made Saturday. It may not come until next week.

• Mental lapses are killers. It's not any different if a team is coming off an 11-1 season or 1-11.

Cornerback Leroy Clark was late to join the second-team defense during an 11-on-11 drill. Can't bring you every word defensive backs coach Taver Johnson said, but you get the idea. Clark was sent back to the sidelines.

"We don't pay attention," Johnson said.

• BTN makes its appearance at camp Wednesday morning. The practice is closed to fans and the media.

The network will air the program Wednesday at 6 and 9:30 p.m.

• Overheard: "It's probably going to be 110 on Aug. 30 (season opener against Western Michigan)," more than one bystander said. Temperatures were in the mid-60s with light rain Tuesday morning.